Ty Lue Sends Message With Decision to Start 76ers Trade Target

The LA Clippers value starting guard Terance Mann

LA Clippers head coach Ty Lue revealed his starting lineup on Friday, telling reporters that Terance Mann will be the 5th starter alongside Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac. This update from Lue came one day after he spoke on the trade rumors surrounding Mann, and the reports that the Philadelphia 76ers want him included in any James Harden trade.

"We love T-Mann, and T-Mann is gonna be here. So we’re not worried about what they’re saying outside, all the speculations. It’s a good thing to be wanted," Lue said before Thursday night's game.

With Mann's role fluctuating all of last season, the versatile guard spent time both in the starting lineup and out of the rotation entirely. Because of this, Lue's comments on Thursday were met with some skepticism, but the Clippers head coach sent a strong message with his starting lineup decision on Friday.

Less than 24 hours after his comments on Mann and his value, Lue officially named him the team's 5th starter next to Westbrook, George, Leonard, and Zubac. It's a decision that Lue had been keeping secret until the preseason ended, but one he likely made before the preseason even began.

With the current state of LA's power forward position, starting a versatile player in Mann allows the Clippers to maximize their starting lineup on both ends of the court. With switchable defenders 1-4, and an elite defensive anchor in Zubac, the Clippers expect to be a top-five defense in the NBA this season. With Westbrook, Leonard, and George, the offense should take care of itself in many ways, but it's the defensive end that the Clippers hope this lineup will be the most lethal on.

Choosing to keep Mann off limits in any James Harden trade, the Clippers' front office showed how much they value the versatile guard. With his decision on Friday, coach Lue sent the message that he values Mann the same.